Questions_and_Answers.pdf

Questions and Answers

Q1 Our company has a TOP SECRET Facility Clearance, which is current and valid.

However, at this time, we do not have any SCI billets assigned to us based on our current work with the US Government. Will you still accept proposals from offerors whose Facility Clearance is TOP SECRET notwithstanding that they have no current SCI billets assigned? In other words, do offerors with a TOP SECRET Facility Clearance necessarily have to have SCI work already in progress at the time of proposal submission and/or award?

A1 The SCI billets will be assigned once the contract is awarded.

Q2 Evaluation Sub-Factor 2.4 states that the “Offeror must demonstrate that they currently possess a Top Secret Facility Clearance”. In a prime/sub relationship, must the prime hold the TS Facilities Clearance or may the subcontractor hold the clearance if the SCI-required support will be performed by the sub?

A2 Facility Clearances (FCLs) is an administrative determination that a company is eligible for access to classified information or award of a classified contract. The FCL requirement for a prime contractor includes those instances in which all classified access will be limited to subcontractors. Contractors are eligible for custody (possession) of classified material if they have an FCL and storage capability approved by the Cognizant Security Agency. The prime contractor and sub contractors shall have the required Facility clearances.

Q3 Would the Air Force consider modifying the solicitation to a NAICS code of 541511 - Custom Computer Programming Services rather than 561320 -- Temporary Help Services?

A3 The NAICS code is finalized and will not be changed at this time

Q4 Are joint ventures allowed?

A4 Yes, joint ventures are allowed

Q5 252.237-7023(b) states a written plan describing how the offeror will continue to perform essential contractor services listed in Attachment 01, Mission Essential Contractor Services, date 7 March 2014. This document is not included with the solicitation, please provide clarification on where we may access this Attachment.

A5 The document titled “Mission-Essential Contractor Services” is located on page 15 of the

Performance Work Statement

Q6 Within the title of the PWS and in various references within the PWS, it reads as though the Air Force is looking for an ISSM, however, in the Estimated Workload Data table (on pg 14 of the PWS), an ISSO is referenced, not an ISSM. Since an ISSO and ISSM position each encompass very different duties and require very different certifications, can the Air Force clarify if both ISSO and ISSM positions are required at Schriever or if the Air Force is only looking for ISSO or only ISSM support? In addition the PWS is missing paragraph 1.1.28?

A6 All “CISSM” references are changed to “CISSO”. All documents stating “CISSM” are herein changed to “CISSO”.

Q7 Would you consider a bid from a company that does not have a current facility security clearance but would be able to acquire one soon after award?

A7 All offerors must have a current facility clearance as referenced in the solicitation

Q8 How many billets are providing these services on the current contract

A8 Seven billets, located at Performance Work Statement paragraph 1.1.

Q9 How many SCIFs are overseen for the current contract

A9 There are six SCIFs within the scope of this contract

Q10 Are there any exceptions to the 25 page limit such as Table of Contents, Definitions of

Acronyms, or the DD 254?

A10 The DD Form 254 will not be included in the 25 page limit

Q11 “referencing PWS Paragraph 1.1.2” The reports are to be submitted by the CSSR. Please confirm that the INFOSEC CSSR will be required to perform IA duties

A11 CSSRs perform SSR “type” duties. Preparing documents for the Information Assurance

Manager does not equate to the CSSR performing IA duties. Please refer to DoD, AF, and ICDs for further clarification.

Q12 “referencing PWS Paragraph 1.1.5” Please confirm that the 20 training events per year will be conducted locally within BAFB and SAFB

A12 Training is conducted at both locations (Buckley Air Force Base and Schriever Air Force

Base)

Q13 “referencing PWS Paragraph 1.1.6” Please confirm that SAVs are local to BAFB and SAFB

A13 SAVs are conducted at both locations (Buckley Air Force Base and Schriever Air Force Base)

Q14 “referencing PWS Paragraph 1.1.9” Please define the term “assessing” as we feel this task would fall outside the scope of a typical CSSR as it includes IA functions.

A14 addressed in PWS paragraph 1.1.9, see amended PWS.

Q15 “referencing PWS Paragraph 2.4 and 2.2.2” Please clarify the difference between

“working” days and “duty” days.

A15 There is no difference between working days and duty days. The terms “working days” and

“duty days” are interchangeable and should be understood as Monday through Friday.

Q16 “referencing PWS Paragraph 3.1.2” Is a National Agency Check required in addition to

TS/SCI clearances

A16 Yes.

Q17 “Referencing PWS page 14” Please expand on the logic that an influx in personnel will not impose any additional work. Can you please provide an estimated number of personnel expected during this influx period?

A17 Page 14 states the influx will not impose additional work outside the scope of the contract.

The amount of work could increase; however, everything would be within the normal duties of a CSSR. We anticipate the increase in personnel is between 50-100 people.

Q18 Is seems that there is a requirement for Information Systems Security support at BAFB while the labor categories do not cover Information Systems. Please clarify if it is your intent that a CSSR would be required to perform Information Systems tasks

A18 The SSRs at BAFB only provide support to base ISSMs/ISSOs. Information Security is still a requirement for SSR personnel; IAW DoD and AF regulations.

Q19 Please confirm that pricing sheets, amendments, Tabs, Representations and Certifications, and DD254are to be included as part of the 25 page count.

A19 See amendment instructions to offerors.

Q20 After reading the proposal for the 460th, FA25434-14-R-0006 for CSSR and CISSM support I have a question concerning the DD Form 254. Because the eight page DD Form 254 is included in the 25 page proposal limit, can we submit only page one (which includes all contractor provided information) of the DD Form 254 in our proposal?

A20 The DD Form 254 is not included in the 25 page proposal limit. Please provide the complete DD Form 254 in response to the RFP

Q21 If amendment(s) are issued will the page count be raised to allow for the requirement to include additional pages in Part 1

A21 amendments are not included in the 25 page limit.

Q22 May proposals be hand delivered? If so will appointments be required?

A22 Offerors will hand deliver their proposal by either the offeror or by a third party company

(ie, USPS, FedEx, etc.). If the offeror does not have access to Buckley Air Force Base, contact 1Lt

Chad Sheiner via email at chad.sheiner@us.af.mil to make arrangements for delivery prior to

1400 Mountain Standard Time on 19 September 2014. A representative from the contracting unit will be able to receive the proposal at the visitor center of Buckley Air Force Base 6th

Avenue Gate with prior notification (Building 41, 18500 East 6th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011). ALL

PROPOSALS ARE DUE BY 1400 Mountain Standard Time 19 September 2014. Exceptions will not be made for late proposals. Late proposals will not be considered.

Q23 Would the Government consider allowing the use of Times New Roman, 10 font for diagrams, charts, and tables?

A23 The decision to use Times New Roman, 12 point Font is firm. Offeror shall follow these instructions.

Q24 Does the 25-page requirement apply to Part II – Technical Capability only, or does it apply to the entire submitted proposal to include the required DD254(s), price schedule, clauses, and provisions?

A24 Please see amended instructions to offerors (FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-

COMMERCIAL ITEMS (FEB 2012)(ADDENDUM)

Q25 Would the Government consider the submission of a current ISFD verification print-out, which demonstrates that the SMO/CAGE possesses a current TS facility clearance as an acceptable format for meeting this evaluation requirement?

A25 Yes. The SMO/CAGE Code will be checked to verify the offeror possesses a current Top

Secret Facility Clearance.

Q26 Is the contractor expected to do Staff Assistance Visits and to conduct physical security inspections? If so, please clarify the Government’s intent.

A26 Contractor employees are required to conduct SAVs or physical security inspections as identified in DoD and AF Regulations.

Q27 Is routine travel required? Such as courier duties, picking up DCS material, training, drills, exercises, meetings etc.

A27 Routine travel is not required

Q28 How established is the current security program (years)?

Q29 The security program has been in effect since the 460th Space Wing was established (10+ years)

Q30 Are all current systems accredited? If not, how many systems are not accredited?

A30 Yes; however, new systems will need to be approved and in accordance with accreditation policies

Q31 Are all SCIFs accredited? If not, how many SCIFs are not accredited?

A31 Yes

Q32 Is the security program currently compliant with all IC, DoD and AF required directives? If not, please provide areas of non-compliance.

A32 Yes

Q33 Is the contractor as a PSO expected to provide direction to the program or just “make recommendations?”

A33 Just recommendations

Q34 Are the contractors supported by the Government’s Program Security Manager in terms of the contractors being given the authority to direct security compliance by all personnel on the program?

A34 The contractors will coordinate security compliance with Program Security Managers and appropriate leadership (i.e. Space Wing Commander and Senior Intelligence Officer)

Q35 Are there Government PSOs or Security Managers at either Buckley AFB or Shreiver AFB supporting this program? If so how many and where.

A35 There are government Security Managers at both locations; however, the 460th Space

Wing Commander is ultimately responsible for the SCI Program and the contractors support this responsibility. There are two security managers supporting this program at Buckley AFB, both fall under the 460th Space Wing. There is at a minimum one security manager at Schriever AFB supporting this program but not under the authority of the 460th Space Wing.

Q36 Is there a PERSEC program in place or does it need to be established from the initialization phase?

A36 There is a personnel security program in place

Q37 What is meant by “Manage” the IDS and ACS Systems?

A37 Contractors enable/disable access to systems, and assist with any malfunctions

Q38 Does a guard force maintain/operate the access control systems and alarm system or is this operated by personnel as part of this CSSR/CISSM services support contract?

A38 The equipment is maintained/operated by the Government. Contractors assist with getting members access and helping resolve issues (i.e. authenticating alarms)

Q39 What is the extent of the current 460 SW Information Assurance program? (What is the extent of processes and procedures already established)

A39 The Buckley Support Team handles Information Assurance at Buckley Air Force Base and there is currently no need for contractor support physically at Buckley AFB for Information

Assurance. The CISSO support will be utilized at Schriever AFB as part of 460 Space Wing support for Information Assurance type support.

Q40 What tasks (Performance Work Statement type tasks) are CISSM/ISSO personnel going to need to set up within the entire program to accredit equipment, establish procedures and train personnel?

A40 It is not anticipated that the CISSOs, at Schriever AFB, will have to set up any processes/procedures. These functions are in place, as they are mandated by DoD and AF regulations identified in Appendix A

Q41 Are the CISSMs/ISSOs responsible to perform any COMSEC duties or rekey of equipment?

A41 No

Q42 Does the government anticipate any directed hires if incumbents do not stay in place?

A42 No

Q43 The PWS mentions 20 training events per year. What type of events and what is the duration for planning purposes?

A43 These are training events mandated by DoD, AF and Intelligence Community directives/regulations. The duration depends on how in depth the CSSRs want to go; however, other than indoctrination training, they should not go more than an hour

Q44 What type of ACS and IDS are currently being used?

A44 Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS) is used to validate clearances, prior to providing access. Vindicator is also used as an ACS/IDS.

Q45 Will the CISSM/ISSO be responsible for overall management for all of the TS and SCI networks referenced in this paragraph, or just for access management and IA activities to support the networks and upgrades

A45 Just for access management and IA support

Q46 The solicitation states “If the solicitation is amended, the offeror is responsible to acknowledge receipt of the amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the amendment.” Is the modification posted August 20, 2014 to FedBizOpps considered an amendment? If so, what is the hour and date receipt acknowledgement is required.

A46 The post to FedBizOps 20 Aug 2014 is considered a informational change for CIAO to

CISSM. It does not need to be acknowledged as an amendment. However, CISSM has now been changed to CISSO. All amendments shall be acknowledged when offerors turn in their proposal to the contracting office in accordance with 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors and Addendum.

Q47 The solicitation states “Offerors are to complete DFARS certification 252.209-7999 in regards to representation of Federal tax liability and felony criminal violation.” Where is this certification to be included? Paragraph (D) Specific Instructions does not include this certification.

A47 Since this is a clause, the certification is part of Part I, Price Schedule, Clauses & Provisions.

However, because it is a clause this will not count in the 25 page limit.

Q48 The solicitation requires a Staffing Plan to be included as Subfactor 2.2. The PWS deliverables include a Staffing Plan which is due within 30 days after contract award. Please clarify if the Staffing Plan is due with the proposal or within 30 days after contract award

A48 The staffing plan required as Subfactor 2.2 must be included in the proposal for evaluation per Subfactor 2.2.

Q49 Where is the completed Information Regarding Responsibility Matters to be included in the proposal submission?

A49 Include information regarding responsibility matters in the 25 page limit.

Q50 The solicitation states “The offeror shall provide with its offer a written plan describing how it will continue to perform the essential contractor services listed in attachment 01, Mission Essential Contractor Services, dated 7 March 2014, during periods of crisis.” The PWS deliverables include a Mission Essential Contractor Services Plan due within 30 days after contract award. Please clarify if the Mission Essential Contractor Services Plan is due with the proposal or within 30 days after contract award.

A50 The offeror is not required to provide a Mission Essential Contractor Services (MECS) Plan as part of their proposal. This Plan will be required of the awardee within 30 days of contract award in accordance with PWS paragraph 2.1.

Q51 Typically CSSR and CISSM type positions do not equate to positions covered under the

Service Contract Act. Are any of the sited positions covered under the Service Contract Act? If so, please identify which Occupation Code corresponds to which labor category.

A51 Please reference 52.222-42 STATEMENT OF EQUIVALENT RATES FOR FEDERAL HIRES (MAY

2014) clause.

Q52 The Eval Criteria requires that we propose labor categories (see Subfactor 2.1) and provide position descriptions (see Subfactor 2.2). This requirement provides a distinct and unfair advantage to an incumbent bidder who has precise knowledge of the existing labor cats and position descriptions. Will the Government specify labor categories, position descriptions, and personnel qualifications to eliminate competitive advantages and focus evaluation criteria on

Price and technically acceptable personnel and approach for performing PWS tasks?

A52 This is a performance based requirement which means the contractor has the flexibility to determine the best way to meet the requirements. The evaluation criteria are written to allow offerors to submit based on their capability to satisfy the government's requirement. The evaluation criteria were specifically written to allow for flexibility in satisfying the requirement.

Specifying the labor categories, position descriptions, and personnel qualifications would unduly restrict the offeror's ability to provide an industry-driven solution. Rather than providing an advantage to the incumbent, we are allowing for an innovative solution for this requirement.

Q53 Are resumes required? Are resumes counted against the proposal page limit? If so, will the Government increase the page limit to 50 pages to allow submission of maximum 3-page resumes?

A53 Resumes are not required

Q54 The RFP contains the following requirement for Subfactor 2.4 - To be found acceptable an offeror must demonstrate that they currently possess a Top Secret Facility Clearance via DD Form 254 in accordance with PWS paragraph 4.5. PWS paragraph 4.5 specifies TS/SCI clearance requirements for contractor personnel not the TS Facility requirement. The Subfactor 2.4 requirement implies that contractors must submit a DD 254 to prove that they possess a TS Facility Clearance. Since the DD 254 is a Government-generated document, offerors cannot satisfy Subfactor 2.4 evaluation criteria with a DD 254. Will the Government revise Subfactor

2.4 to more clearly specify what evidence an offeror needs to submit to prove they possess a TS Facility Clearance and if required, evidence demonstrating that proposed personnel are eligible for SCI access?

A54 Offerors will need to provide their CAGE Code and Company name as listed in System for Award Management and JPAS. Potential employee check, to determine TS with SCI, will require name, and social security number. All interested offerors should request the DD Form 254 from 1Lt Chad Sheiner at chad.sheiner@us.af.mil.

Q55 Is it ok to have one CSSR at SAFB to be on leave with no CSSR on duty at SAFB at that time, since there are multiple CSSRs at Buckley? Could the Government reach-back arrangement to Buckley AFB when the Schriever AFB CSSR is on leave, would this be satisfactory?

A55 Yes, this is satisfactory.